Penguins, Pot & Other Stuff

It’s just my luck!  Came down with something over the weekend that just doesn’t want to leave me alone.  Saw the good doctor today and he suggested I forget about flying for now; wasn’t very happy with my sinus condition.  That means my trip isn’t happening.  Oh well, plenty of time left!

This has happened 4 times now over the past couple of weeks.  As you may know, for at least the past 10 years, peregrine falcons have been nesting on the Standard Life Center Building in downtown Hamilton.  They have done quite well.  Every year, after the fledglings take to the air, more peregrine falcons are added to the wild.

 

These birds are on the endangered list.  Magnificent creatures!  Well, they seem to like my balcony.  I remember one of them landing on my balcony about five years ago.  Only once, but it was an amazing sight.  Well, today was the fourth landing in the past couple of weeks.  It was Paulo who noticed the bird today.  Thank goodness my camera was handy.  Paulo was able to grab a couple of really good pictures.

 

As I said, a truly magnificent bird.  Built for speed & maneuverability.  Usually my visitors only stay for less than a minute.  Today, however, he must have been sitting on my balcony railing for a good five minutes.  And the only reason he left is that another falcon flew towards the railing and when it got here, they both took off!  What a sight!

 

Check Out the Pictures!

The winter weather is getting to me.  It’s time for a break.  Looking like I will be heading to this lovely resort in Punta Cana http://www.sunquest.ca/destinations/hotels/EDENH-REAL-ARENA-PUNTA-CANA-RESORT

 

Have been talking with my travel agent, good old Bob, about setting things up.  The lovely Linnie will be coming along to help out.  Can hardly wait!

Mark the date down on your calendar.  Check it out http://www.thepinkfloydexperience.net/

 

Definitely going to this one.  So far Brother Joseph, Cousin Jan & Niece Nicole are joining me.  As usual, the more the merrier.  If you would like to come along please let me know.  We haven’t ordered our tickets yet.  Should be a great show!

In my "Unexpected Party" post I mentioned that Cousin Jan came down to help out with some odd jobs for me & Paulo.  One of those jobs (for Paulo) was to hang up a lovely mirror for Paulo’s Lady, Jeannine.  Up it went and there it hung, just above the couch.  Until today!

 

I guess Cousin Jan was feeling the effects of all those beers.  Jeannine was sitting on her couch watching television when down came the mirror.  It didn’t break; the glass just came out of the frame.  Once patched up, Jeannine was on a mission.  She so badly wanted to hang the mirror up again.  Apparently Cousin Jan missed the stud in the wall when he hung the mirror up.  So, Jeannine went around desperately looking for a "stud finder".

 

Since I am just a stud, I was not able to help her out.  On top of that, my ability to seek out studs is limited.  It looks like at trip to Canadian Tire is in order for Jeannine.  I’m sure that once she finds her stud, she will be very happy.  That will give her 2 of them!

Told you!  We had our first game earlier this month.  This time there were six of us; Cousin Jan could make it.  For once I didn’t lose any money.  No, I wasn’t the big winner, only won $20.  Dickhead took home the most: $150.  I sure hope his lovely wife & daughter both got their fair share.

 

It’s getting harder and harder to get our usual full table together.  Family commitments, coaching hockey, going to Malta-those boys sure have some lame excuses!  Tony C is off to Malta in a week or so.  Cousin Jan was unavailable until January 25 (Happy Birthday Dad).  Unfortunately, Dickhead is always available.  If I’m lucky, the next game will happen when he can’t make it!

Well, the New Year is here.  New Year’s Eve wasn’t anything overly exciting.  Chinese food, friends & watching hockey on television.  Let’s hope the New Year is good for everyone.

 

Looking forward to another Pink Floyd experience in February of this year.  It will be a family affair as Brother Joseph, Cousin Jan and hopefully Niece Nicole will be joining me.

 

Hockey is in full swing and the Super Bowl is just around the corner.  Unfortunately, the Dallas Cowboy defeat killed my Las Vegas ticket.  Hopefully the Minnesota Wild will come through for me on the Stanley Cup (unless my Canadians do!).

 

2008 has already seen our first poker game.  But that’s another thread!

Cousin Jan was over today to help do a few odd jobs.  Not just for me mind you, Paulo manages to get a few things done too!  It’s always fun when he’s over; this man has so many stories.  Within 10 minutes, the lovely Trishy Pooh showed up.  Trish, of course, always adds excitement to any gathering.

 

Add Paulo to the mix and the party was already well underway.  Then, Linnie Pooh arrived.  Then things really picked up!  Cousin Jan’s repair visit became a six-hour afternoon party.  A good time was had by all.  I haven’t heard so much bullshit in a long time (and amazingly, for once most of it wasn’t coming from me!).

 

Trishy Pooh gave us an example of her modeling skills.  Check out the picture!